Happy Halloween

from Minnie Mouse and her parents!

Charlotte's Halloween Party

Tonight was Charlotte's Halloween Party! 

A day that she's been planning for, for a long time!! 

This was our 3rd year to host it and if you look back, you can see how it's grown since our 1st one.

Each year has got better and better! When we 1st began, Charlotte was just 10 months old and the friends that came were friends from college, neighbors and HPUMC's 1st time mom's group. Now, Charlotte's in 2 schools and has made so many wonderful friends that we wanted to invite each of them! 

We are so thankful to each family that came! All the kids had a blast! From the bounce house to the glow bracelets, each kid was very content!

And thanks to Pinterest for giving me such wonderful new ideas this year!

Though these pictures may be hard to tell, the new pinterest ideas that I included are: the nacho bar, pumpkins lanterns, individual veggie cups, mummy juice boxes and mummy hotdogs. 

The nacho bar consisted of: chips, black beans & ground beef (in the warming dishes), queso (in the crock) and in individual bowls: diced red onions, jalapenos, sliced black olives, shredded cheddar cheese and I put sour cream, guacamole and salsa in clear "mustard type" squeeze containers.  

It was very easy to prepare and worked well with any dietary restrictions as guests could build their own nachos to their liking. 

I didn't get too many pics this year because I was talking too much (imagine that!) but below are the pics that Justin, I and Charlotte were in. 

Happy Halloween!

Cowboys Game

Last week we went to the Cowboy's game! 

Justin's firm had tickets and we took a sweet friends with us who works closely with Justin. 

The stadium is so impressive! It is the largest thing I've ever been in. The amenities are phenomenal! Before the game I had a lobster & crab roll sandwich and a wonderful bloody mary! 

We even saw some eating sushi!! Things you typically don't see at a stadium. 

It's Jerry's World..... nothing else describes it better.   

A good family pic before the game.

We had a super fun time, but someone didn't get a nap earlier and crashed during the game. 

She was a trooper though and a great cheerleader!

2nd Annual Butterfly Hatching

 The Butterfly Guy came back to Charlotte's school this year and, as expected, was a HUGE hit. 

We had such an awesome experience last year that we couldn't wait to have a chrysalis again. If you've never participated in a hatching, I highly recommend it! It's amazing to watch the chrysalis change colors and then emerge to a beautiful butterfly. And once the wings dry you can hold the butterfly and let it crawl on you - an obvious favorite!

I asked Charlotte what this butterfly's name should be, since we had Charlotte The Butterfly last year. 

She decided that this year it's, Charlotte Sammie The Butterfly.  

State Fair of Texas 2011

Quite possibly our very favorite thing to do in the fall!

We look forward to it every year and have made this a super fun family tradition. 

And in honor of the 125th Texas State Fair Anniversary, I've "antique" most of the photos below. 

You can't talk about the Texas State fair and not talk about the fried foods. In 2009, we lucked upon the fried guacamole and fried smor's and those 2 remain our favorites today. 

Shamefully this year, we visited the fried guacamole stand twice. 

2011 Big Tex Choice Awards

BEST TASTE: Buffalo Chicken in a Flapjack

MOST CREATIVE: Fried Bubblegum

The rides in the Midway have always been Charlotte's favorite. Even 3 years ago when she was just a baby, she loved them. Each year since, she's gotten taller and has been able to ride so much more -- She would ride them all if height wasn't a requirement. 

This was our 1st year to play "carni" games. Charlotte had previously watched a Max & Ruby episode where they had gone to the fair and Ruby won a panda and that made her aware that she could also win something. She immediately locked eyes with a Hello Kitty and knew that was the prize she wanted. Thankfully, Justin has a "good arm" and won his baby her Hello Kitty!

After 6 hours fun, we headed back to the car with 2 Hello Kitties, 1 Angry Birds Basketball, and about 1,000,000 calories. 

Busy as Bumble Bee

WHOA HORSIE.... this fall has started off in high gear! We have been busily running around from event to event and place to place. And well, if I'm honest, I wouldn't have it any other way. Our family works better when we're busy. We're more efficient and get a lot more done. 

Thanks to all who commented on my previous school post. I appreciated hearing from each of you and it made me feel better knowing other friends are struggling with the exact same issue. 

(it's better in numbers, right?!) 

Let me give a brief update on the topic:

My mind changes daily, and sometimes hourly, regarding the issue. Each day when I drive pass our public school I see the darling children outside learning in the organic garden and think about Charlotte being there and how much she would love that. But then, I think about the private schools and how much I love them too and all the different experiences she would have there, but one mayor hurdle is their hefty price tag....

Obviously, we don't have a definite decision yet but we have a plan!

We are going to apply to 4 private schools, go through the admission process and see what happens come March 9th. March 9th is the day that the private schools mail out the acceptance letters and by then we will have investigated and thought through all of our options more closely and be able to choose the best plan for Charlotte. 

Ok, enough about that. 

We had a surprise visit from Jason and Abbi a few weeks ago! 

Jason had got a ticket to one of the Ranger's play-off games and decided to come a little earlier to hang out with us and go watch one of Charlotte's soccer games.

We told him to prepare for an action packed game with nail-biting plays! ;) 

She was proud to show off her skills! 

Later that afternoon, Justin and I took Charlotte and Abbi to Owens' Pumpkin Farm. 

We missed it last year because we ran out of time, but I'm glad we made it a priority this year. Both of the girls had a great time and there was stuff for each of them to do. 

Abbi's favorite part was the animals - I see a Veterinarian in our family's future!

The following weekend we drove down to San Antonio to visit family and attend the KFGCMF golf tournament. There was a good turn out from golfers and the weather was prefect. It made for a fun day (nap included)!

That Friday night we went to the Alamo Heights football game and got to watch Taylor cheer ~

she is a doll! 

It made Charlotte's day to get a hug from a cheerleader!

Looking at Schools

Oh the time is here....

It is fall, and in Dallas in the fall when you have an almost 4 year old, you tour different schools for next year's placement.

This is a topic of much anxiety!

Let me begin by saying that I write this post in hopes not to offend anyone. But I write to let out my own frustrations and anxiety with this issue. As I've said before, I write this blog for Charlotte to read in the future. And because this is such a hot and important topic (one that is at the fore-front of our minds), I write this post so that she can one day see the intense thought process involved in the decision of her future. (Just in case it turns out badly . . . ha ha ha)

My sweet Charlotte, this is not a decision that your dad and I take lightly!

Here we go - 1st of all, private school in itself is so foreign to both Justin and I. We grew up in Borger, TX with a population of 15k and private school was not an option. There were 3 elementary schools and you went to one of them based on your address and then all went to the same junior high and high school. Justin and I did well at Borger High. Both of us graduated with honors and in the "Honor Society." However, when we went to college, Texas Tech, we don't feel that we were that well prepared. I will no longer speak for Justin, because he was a much better student than I was, but let's just say that neither one of us really thought that hard about our future as high school students.

Living in Dallas has many advantages when it comes to schools and opportunities. I like to relate it to all the restaurants here-- there are so many great ones that on a given night you can be stuck with the question of "where do you want to eat?" And similar to the decision with the schools, there are almost too many wonderful restaurants out there.

Also let me be fair by saying that we have a fantastic, "blue ribbon" public elementary school that is blocks away from our house.

And for me, that is where the dilemma lies....

Because of the history and reputation, I feel almost dumb not having the public elementary be my first choice. Charlotte is now at 2 wonderful preschools, one that includes Spanish immersion. She could stay at both of those school this coming year and then attend the public school beginning in kinder. That choice would not only be good, but would save us a ton of money.

Any person would ask me, "Isn't that option good enough?"

The answer is yes it is, but I'm seeking more too and honesty I'm scared of that route.

Everyone that attends the local public elementary LOVES it! In fact, they can't say enough about the community and the teachers. But then, some hesitate about the middle school after that. Though I know multiple families whose kids attend the middle school (and they say they are very satisfied there), but I can't get over the metal detecters at the school.

Here are my biggest worries with public schools:

• that Texas is in a severe debt crisis and funding is coming out of the schools
• standardized testing
• and the fact that kids are growing up too fast these days

That said, I am rational and know that kids are kids and, no matter how much we would like to shelter them, we can't protect them from everything and they have to be mature enough to make they're own choices.

But I do feel that a private school will create a secure and loving environment while pushing Charlotte to succeed, which is what we try to do at home.

I feel that exposing toddlers and preschoolers to more in their early years will mold them into the person they will become. It blows my mind how much these kids today already know! They almost all know how to work an Apple device quicker and more efficiently than we do. Not only are the sponges, they are literally little machines!

There is currently a documentary floating around named, "The Road to Nowhere." Though I have not seen it myself, I have heard that it's about children these days being pushed too hard, with too much homework and too much extra activities. I understand the conclusion of the documentary is to let kids be kids. Let the preschoolers play through activity, exploration and creative imagination.

We all know that! It shouldn't take a documentary to tell us that. So why all the talk about it?

My thoughts are that we (especially in a city) get caught up in doing multiple activities. Why? Because there is so much to do! You really have to be pro-active and choosy when it comes to extra-curricular activities. Especially in the school age years. Also, I feel incredibly sorry for the public teachers. They are forced to teach for the damn standardized tests. Why? Because nowadays, the funding for the schools is in direct correlation to the testing scores.

All of this frustration is why I feel choosing public (at this time and in this city) for Charlotte would be a gamble. Again, I am rational enough to know that she would probably do well in public but, because she is our only one, we have the opportunity to look at other options.

And though both of us feel safe and comfortable with our public elementary, I worry that if we decide to then send her to private for middle school, she'll be behind in their current curriculum and the ultimate truth -- there are not that many spots available for admission! The most spots available are at the pre-k/kinder levels.

So far, we have looked at 4 privates schools. Trust me, there are many MANY more, but we're done. All 4 schools are great and we would be happy at either of of them. We are now in the application process and testing mode. (Testing for an almost 4 year old really means observation, but testing sounds fancier!) Once we "officially" apply and complete the process for each school, we won't find out anything until March 9, 2012! The day after my birthday.

I'll keep you posted on any changes or outcomes!

Let me close by saying again, that I hope I have not offended anyone. Talking to other families about this topic in Dallas is like talking about religion or politics. It's almost taboo with some people! We can definitely see both sides to the public/private debate, and we just want to do the best we can for Charlotte, and give her as many opportunities as we can.

I do not write this for any other purpose but to show Charlotte how much her mom and dad fretted over this issue. Though we have made many choices for her thus far, this is one of the biggest choices that will affect her directly. And with that said, that is why I am educating myself with multiple options.

We love you so much Charlotte!!!!!